Why Do I Still Get Acne and How Can I Get Rid of It?
No one over the age of 30 expects to look in the mirror and see pimples, but adult-onset acne is real and all-too-common. Even if you were lucky enough to go through adolescence without an acne problem, you can still have your first breakout in adulthood.
If you struggle to clear away adult acne or you have severe inflammatory acne, it's time to consult Theresa Durchhalter, DO, at Allure Dermatology. She offers a range of treatments that help people of all ages regain a flawless, beautiful complexion.
In this blog, she explains why you still get acne and gives you some tips for getting rid of the problem.
Top five causes of acne
You may be surprised to learn that adults get acne for the same reasons as teens. The top causes include:
Excessive oil
For such tiny organs, the oil glands in your skin can cause big problems. Though some oil (sebum) is essential for lubricating your skin, excessive oil production leads to acne.
The oil glands are located inside narrow hair follicles. Extra oil can easily get trapped inside the follicle, thanks to dead skin at the surface blocking the pore.
As bacteria (that naturally live on your skin) accumulate in the oil, inflammation develops. Then the area becomes red and inflamed, and you have acne.
Sebum production dramatically rises when teens go through puberty, peaks in your 20s, and then slowly declines over your adult years. But that doesn't mean you're free from blemishes. Adults often get acne in their 30s and 40s and even through their 50s.
Fluctuating hormones
Sex hormones regulate oil production. The extreme hormonal changes in adolescence account for teen acne challenges. Adults face similar, if less dramatic, hormone fluctuations that also cause acne.
Though men get acne, women have a higher risk. They face the problem more frequently becaues their hormones change around their periods and during pregnancy and menopause.
Stress
When you’re under stress, your hormone levels rise, including the hormones that stimulate oil production. Normal, everyday stress that comes and goes shouldn’t cause a problem. But if you’re prone to acne, constant daily stress can make it worse.
Hair and skin care products
The products you use to care for your skin and hair may have ingredients that contribute to acne. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using products that have one of the following claims on the label:
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-acnegenic
- Oil-free
- Won’t clog pores
It’s especially important to be sure the products you frequently use, like your moisturizer, cleanser, and sunscreen, won’t cause acne.
Ways to eliminate acne
You already know the basics about how to get rid of acne (skin care and acne treatments), but we have a few tips that may make a difference:
Follow a consistent skin care routine
You may diligently follow a daily skin care routine and still have acne. However, you may need to tweak your routine to meet the following recommendations:
- Wash your face twice daily and after sweat-inducing activities
- Use your fingers to apply the cleansers and moisturizers (anything else may irritate your skin)
- Always use gentle, alcohol-free skin care products
- Don’t scrub your skin
- Use lukewarm water
- Shampoo regularly (depending on the oiliness of your hair)
If you keep up with skin care, the next step is trying over-the-counter acne products.
Use over-the-counter medications
Here’s an important tip for getting the best results from over-the-counter acne medications: Use the same product for several weeks before trying another one. It takes 4-6 weeks to see an improvement and up to three months for all your acne to clear.
If the first product doesn’t work after 4-6 weeks, add a second one that has a different ingredient. Each primary ingredient tackles a different cause:
- Benzoyl peroxide decreases bacteria
- Retinoids unclog pores and diminish oiliness
- Salicylic acid reduces inflammation and unclog pores
If your acne doesn’t improve by combining medications, or your acne leaves scars, it’s time to see a dermatologist.
Professional treatment for acne
We offer the next level of care, providing many different treatments capable of healing your acne and preventing future breakouts. Two of our primary treatments include:
Prescription medications (topical and oral)
You may need a prescription-strength version of one of the over-the-counter medications. We also prescribe specialized medications that you can’t get in the local pharmacy, such as oral antibiotics, Accutane®, and medications to stabilize your hormones. If you have severe inflammation, we may recommend a corticosteroid injection.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels remove one or more layers of your skin. This treatment unclogs pores, reduces acne, and diminishes acne scarring.
If you have any questions about acne, call Allure Dermatology or book an appointment online today.